Phenomenal Woman Poem Analysis
Shalesah Hall
Dr.
English 102
May 2, 2017
Maya Angelou’s two poems, “Phenomenal Woman” and “Still I Rise,” are poems that seek to praise the wonder of a woman that she has come to know within herself. It is through the use of literary devices that her poems serve as a testament to the love and confidence that she now exudes.
The poem “Phenomenal Woman,” is a free verse poem. It is clear that the speaker of the poem is talking to someone, of whom the audience is not clear. The last four lines in every stanza are the same, as she uses the literary device, epiphora. She repeats, “I am a woman/ phenomenally/ phenomenal woman/ that’s me.” The poem goes forth in a way that embody a woman who is free from societal norms and expectations. Angelou states that Beauty is more than the outward appearance. She says that it is in the way that she carries herself that makes her beautiful. It is her confidence that give her the ability to see herself this way. She understands that a woman does not have to look like a model to be beautiful. She gets this point across through the use of imagery. Early on in the poem she says, “...It’s in the reach of my arms/ The span of my hips/The stride of my step/The curl of my lips.” In these lines you 'll notice that there is a rhyme scheme
…show more content…
The poem starts off, “You may write me down in history/With your bitter, twisted lies/You may trod me in the very dirt/But still, like dust, I 'll rise.” The “still I rise,” that ends every few stanzas uses the epiphora literary device. Much like her poem, “Phenomenal Woman” this is a free verse poem. This poem aims to show people that nothing can tear the speaker down; that she, like the title of the poem, will “rise.” There are 43 lines in total made up of 7 quatrains and 2 end stanzas which help reinforce the theme of individual hope, 'I Rise ' being repeated in mantra
Comparing Scholarship Jacket And Still I Rise
324 Words | 2 PagesThe poem “Still I Rise” written by Maya Angelou and the story “The Scholarship Jacket” by Marta Saline, are two different kind of writing styles. One is a poem and the other is a story. Even though they might be two different kind of styles of writing, they still are somewhat similar. “Still I Rise” is a poem about conquering your goals in life and rising up to be the best you can possibly be. Mayas writing in this poem is very confident, in a way she almost sounds like she's bragging.
Maya Angelou Phenomenal Woman Essay
970 Words | 4 Pages“Today, Michelle and I join millions around the world in remembering one of the brightest lights of our time – a brilliant writer, a fierce friend, and a truly phenomenal woman.” (Online - White House). This memorial statement, by Barack Obama in 2014, encompasses how many felt towards Maya Angelou, one of the most influential writers and voices of her generation. Over the course of her lifetime, Maya Angelou was awarded over 50 honorary degrees and received the highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Angelou’s personal admiration and self-love that is reflected in her poetic works, specifically, “Phenomenal Woman,” is credited to the overcoming of her traumatic childhood and her work in activism.
Ego Tripping Poem Analysis
1925 Words | 8 PagesThe 1970s were a rough year for African-Americans, still fighting for social and political rights in the United States. Consequently, women still did not receive equal rights. However, in 1972, “Congress approved the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the Constitution, which reads: ‘Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex’ (History.com Staff).” Out of the thirty-eight necessary states only twenty-two ratified it right away, it was relieving for the moment because the feminist advocates had been trying to be ratified since 1923. The First African-American woman elected into Congress was Shirley Chisholm.
Maya Angelou Obstacles
740 Words | 3 PagesShe asks her readers to rise above their defeats, to not allow anyone to stop their dreams. In demonstrating how she succeeded she has been a role model for women of all cultures and races. The “Phenomenal Women” poem is a celebration
Abject In Patience Agbabi's About Face
1329 Words | 6 Pages5,6) the issues that have been mentioned above are expressed. Since, especially black women, are considered to be living in the shadow this passage exposes the feelings and representation of black women in society. Their existence in the world which is not considered and respected. Considering especially the fact that the lyrical I is a black maiden, she seeks for recognition and acceptance among the other figures of the poem. Referring to contemporary issues, the lyrical I would be classified as a lower ranked person since she is black and being occupied as a maid, which clearly makes her powerless and voiceless in society.
Literary Analysis Of Elizabeth Bishop's 'Exchanging Hats'
1809 Words | 8 PagesThe different key features also plays an important role for example the tone that is being formed by the lyrical voice that can be seen as a nephew or niece. This specific poem is also seen as an exposition of what Judith Butler will call a ‘gender trouble’ and it consist of an ABBA rhyming pattern that makes the reading of the poem better to understand. The poem emphasizes feminist, gender and queer theories that explains the life of the past and modern women and how they are made to see the world they are supposed to live in. The main theories that will be discussed in this poem will be described while analyzing the poem and this will make the poem and the theories clear to the reader. Different principals of the Feminist Theory.
Ego-Tripping Poem Analysis
540 Words | 3 PagesIn the poem “Ego-Tripping” by Nikki Giovanni, she normalizes her worth by continuing to royalist herself as a black woman who is essential to mankind. Giovanni creates a vision throughout the poem, which leaves a thought in mind of how woman should look at themselves with much confidence as Giovanni does. “Ego Tripping” was written by Yolande Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni, Jr. who was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on June 7, 1943. G9iovanni is a writer, poet, activist, and educator whose work was influenced during the Black Power Movements and the Civil Rights Movement. The poem was released in 2002.
June Jordan Poem About My Rights Analysis
1028 Words | 5 PagesThe poem was written in a time where black people and women were dehumanized where those in power abused the power to gain more and those without power were continuously affected by it. Reading the poem and had an impact on me with the dictation of lexis, however all of these feelings were heightened when I listened to the oral performance. The poem starts of in the present tense “Even tonight and I need to take a walk” (Jordan 1) which gives a setting to the scene, in the opening few lines Jordan uses the repetition of “I” and “my” which made the poem for me more personal, the use of repetition in the opening part of the poem produced a deeper connection to the poem, repetition of the words placed emphasis and clarity of the words which came after “my body posture my gender identity my age…” (Jordan
When You Are Old Tone
553 Words | 3 PagesThis quote draws an emotional experience to many readers. Many young people grow up with fairy tales and the idea of unconditional love, regardless of our flaws. So, this emotional connection can see the tone reflects the speaker 's unconditional love for the woman. The poem 's form, diction, imagery, and tone relay the speaker 's attitude toward the woman. The order of the stanzas and the word choice makes it apparent that the speaker loves the woman.
Art In The Civil Rights Movement
3654 Words | 15 PagesThis topic was chosen out of the interest in the arts and specifically the arts within America. I aim to explore how art evolved and affected the Civil Rights Movement and changed the attitude of racist and unjust people who lived during the 1960s. The evolution of art throughout the 1960s in America introduced new styles of art into the world and had large political relevance in accordance to the Civil Rights Movement and unjust gender discrimination. The American arts industry is one of the most widely recognized and most successful industries to date and much of its success is owed to the Civil Rights Movement that occurred during the 1960s. During this period of time, African Americans were extremely disadvantaged and oppressed.
Comparing Mother To Son 'And Langston Hughes' Still I Rise
628 Words | 3 PagesLet us say someone encountered a bump in life or something bad happened people will always move past it eventually because people cannot let something weigh them down for the rest of their lives. The big message or idea of these two poems is to keep moving on because people will always have to deal with problems. In “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes and Still I Rise by Maya Angelou they both convey the message that people should never give up and keep on rising no matter what happens or what people say. Throughout the poem “Mother to Son,” Langston Hughes coveys that people should always keep pushing towards their goals and not give up.
Analysis Of Iris Marion Young's Throwing Like A Girl
500 Words | 2 PagesShe breaks her thoughts down in order to show the indifference. She says that women are first portrayed as objects; this patriarchal society sees us as mere bodies. Thus, we are either regarded as objects or as bodies; the mind does not exists here. Here, the subjectivity does not lie in the mind, but within the body. Women’s sole purpose is to be that of another subject’s intentions and manipulations.
Comparing Poems By Maya Angelou And Phenomenal Woman By Nikki Giovanni
1281 Words | 6 Pages“Phenomenal Woman” is a poem about a woman who has men naturally attracted to her. She is not the one people always find “pretty” but she has confidence and has women jealous. Men are constantly around her and swarm her like honey bees (Angelou
Grah Kay's Essay: The Type By Sarah Kay
762 Words | 4 PagesThis is shown in the opening line when she says, “If you grow up the type of women...” Throughout this poem, Kay explores the themes of empowerment and identity, through the use of repetition and connotation. Through the frequent use of repetition, Kay puts emphasis on how women are defined in relation to males. Additionally, she also uses connotation to remind women they are more than what they are perceived to be in relation to others and they have the power to define themselves. Therefore the main idea of the poem is to perhaps remind women of their worth and inspire them to define themselves on their own terms, and not through the eyes of men or in comparison/relation to their relationship with others.
Explication Of The Poem Africa By Maya Angelou
955 Words | 4 PagesThe first stanza of the poem personifies Africa as a woman of her beauty. The second stanza shows the history of Africa crippled of her powers. The third stanza shows Africa is rising from the suffering of her past. First, the poem personifies Africa as a woman to define the continent’s beauty. The poet uses the earthly method to compare Africa to a woman.
More about Phenomenal Woman Poem Analysis
Comparing Scholarship Jacket And Still I Rise
324 Words | 2 PagesMaya Angelou Phenomenal Woman Essay
970 Words | 4 PagesEgo Tripping Poem Analysis
1925 Words | 8 PagesMaya Angelou Obstacles
740 Words | 3 PagesAbject In Patience Agbabi's About Face
1329 Words | 6 PagesLiterary Analysis Of Elizabeth Bishop's 'Exchanging Hats'
1809 Words | 8 PagesEgo-Tripping Poem Analysis
540 Words | 3 PagesJune Jordan Poem About My Rights Analysis
1028 Words | 5 PagesWhen You Are Old Tone
553 Words | 3 PagesArt In The Civil Rights Movement
3654 Words | 15 PagesComparing Mother To Son 'And Langston Hughes' Still I Rise
628 Words | 3 PagesAnalysis Of Iris Marion Young's Throwing Like A Girl
500 Words | 2 PagesComparing Poems By Maya Angelou And Phenomenal Woman By Nikki Giovanni
1281 Words | 6 PagesGrah Kay's Essay: The Type By Sarah Kay
762 Words | 4 PagesExplication Of The Poem Africa By Maya Angelou
955 Words | 4 Pages